Abstract: Bioelectrodes in cells can record and monitor monocellular or multicellular signals, contributing to early diagnosis, drug development and public health. To promote the cell analysis platform into integration, miniaturization and intellectualization, development of advanced bioelectrodes has attracted intense attention from both research and industrial communities. Here we present the research progress of bioelectrodes for cell analysis along four lines: materials, fabrications, principles and state-of-the-art applications. Covering from traditional noble metals to frontier conducting polymers, various conductive yet biocompatible materials have been used to develop bioelectrodes. Suitable materials are processed into micro/nano electrodes through electrochemical deposition, sol-gel processes, and self-assembly, etc. The prepared bioelectrodes play roles in cellular analysis based on a biochemical process of direct electron transfer, mediator-assisted transfer or biocatalysis, which has been widely used in electrophysiological characterization, chemical analysis, metabolite detection and intercellular communication. To conclude this review, we summarize current challenges remained for cell electrodes in terms of foreign body response, biocompatibility, long-term stability, miniaturization, multifunctional integration, and intelligence, further suggesting possible solutions on performance optimization and material innovation. This review could provide guidance for understanding the working principles of bioelectrodes, designing a feasible cellular analysis platform, and building advanced cell analysis systems.

Key words: Bioelectrode, Cell analysis, Conducting polymer, Electrophysiology, Microelectrode array, Biomedical application